Great pep talk, great title
Tina Clayton thanks mom, coach for rebuilding confidence
Published:Thursday | April 7, 2022 | 12:11 AMRobert Bailey/Gleaner Writer
FRESHLY-MINTED ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships Class One 100 metres champion Tina Clayton was low on confidence entering last evening’s final, but a pep talk from her mother and coach got her across the line.
Tina, who is the world Under-20 100m champion, sped to 11.23 seconds to win the blue-riband event on the second day of the championships last evening.
She defeated Hydel’s Brianna Lyston, who crossed the tape in 11.26.
In fact, Lyston, who defeated Tina in their semi-final matchup, had the fastest time of 11.14 entering championships. Tina’s twin-sister, Tia, was third in the event in 11.47.
“I was a bit doubting myself because I didn’t have a lot of confidence at one point, but my mother is the driver of all this and my coach, and without them, I would not have my confidence up so that I could take this title,” said Tina.
“I am pleased with the time, knowing that my season does not end here because it continues until August, and I know that before the season ends, I will run a faster time,” she said.
“It was a great final because a lot of competitiveness was there, but I am grateful that I pulled through and won this race,” Tina said.
RECORD
Hydel’s Kerrica Hill sped to a record-equalling 11.16 to take the Class Two 100m in front of her teammate, Alana Reid, 11.22, and Carleta Bernard from Mount Alvernia, 11.44.
Edwin Allen’s Theianna-Lee Terrelonge won the Class Three event in 11.60 ahead of St Jago’s Camoy Binger, 11.73, and Shemonique Hazle of Hydel, 11.75.
Wolmer’s High School for Girls’ Natrece East produced a dominant performance to win the Class Four event in 11.81. Moesha Gayle of Edwin Allen was second in 12.03, and Excelsior’s Janelia Williams took third in 12.10.
Edwin Allen dominated the middle-distance races, winning two out of the three of the 1500 titles on offer.
Kora Barnett secured Edwin Allen’s first victory when she won the girls’ Class Three 1500m in four minutes 44.30 seconds ahead of Holmwood’s pair of Andrene Peart, 4:45.63, and Jovi Rose, 4:50.09.
Rickeisha Simms secured the Michael Dyke-coached team’s second victory when she won the Class Two final in 4:41.85.
Misha-Jade Samuels of St Jago was second in 4:47.45, and third went to Cindy Rose from Holmwood in 4:47.86.
Edwin Allen was denied the sweep after Jessica McLean finished third in the Class One event in 4:37.06. The event was won by Holmwood’s Jody-ann Mitchell in 4:36.39 while second went to St Mary’s Shone Walters in 4:37.05.
In the field, Victoria Christie won the Class Two shot put with a mark of 14.59m. Natassia Burrell from Hydel took home silver with 13.99m, and the bronze medal went to Immaculate’s Maja Henry with a throw of 13.51.